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Friday, 15 March 2013

Pet Shop Boys leave Parlophone to sign to new label

Pet Shop Boys
have parted company with record label Parlophone after nearly three decades to
sign with a newly-established label.

The veteran chart-toppers, whose hits include West
End Girls and It's A Sin, will release a new album through Kobalt Music Services
in June.

Bandmates Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe said it was a
"very exciting point in our careers".

It was announced last month Parlophone was being sold
to Warner Music.

Pet Shop Boys have sold more than 50 million records
since releasing their first single on Parlophone 28 years ago.

"We'd like to thank everyone we've worked with
at Parlophone over the last 28 years both in the UK and abroad," said
Tennant and Chris in a joint statement.

"When we signed to the label in 1985 we had no
idea how long and successful a relationship we were embarking on.

"However it is also exciting now to commence a
new phase working with a new team in a new business structure."

'Incredible
music'

Parlophone's Miles Leonard said the record company
was "proud" to have worked with the group for almost three decades.

"We have been fortunate enough to have been
partners in one of the most successful careers in pop culture.

"Neil and Chris to this day influence so many
with their incredible song writing and music," Leonard continued.

"We wish
them every success in the future and look forward to continuing our
relationship with them across their entire and enviable catalogue."

Parlophone,
previously one of EMI's most valuable assets, was separated from that company
under a deal with regulators when EMI was sold to Universal Music last year.

The company,
home to Blur and Pink Floyd, has seen the departure of several artists in
recent years, including Radiohead and Sir Paul McCartney.

Kobalt Music
Services is a new arm of the Kobalt Music Group, which has become a significant
player in music publishing in the last 10 years.

The label
issued its first international album last month with Push the Sky Away, the
latest release by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.